Dispensa Lawsuit Against AEW and Moxley Stays in Michigan

Christopher Dispensa, a former member of All Elite Wrestling's production team, filed a lawsuit against the promotion and wrestler Jonathan Good in May 2025. The suit claims that Good deviated from the planned sequence during a match at the May 10, 2023 event at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Dispensa alleges the deviation resulted in him being shoved to the floor and sustaining injuries that required cervical spine and shoulder surgery.

The defendants requested that the court dismiss the case or pause proceedings to allow it to be refiled in Florida. They cited Dispensa's residence in Florida, the location of most of his doctors there, and the fact that All Elite Wrestling is headquartered in the state. A hearing on the matter took place on September 17.

Judge Catherine Heise denied the request in an order issued on October 5. She determined that the incident occurred in Detroit, where likely fact witnesses and the arena are located. The courthouse is within walking distance of the arena.

The judge noted that medical witnesses based in Florida could provide remote testimony. She also pointed out that transferring the case would require a Florida court to apply Michigan law to an injury that took place in Michigan. Additionally, the defendants waited nearly ten months after All Elite Wrestling answered the complaint in September 2025 before filing their motion on July 7.

The defendants offered not to raise a three-year statute of limitations defense if the case moved to Florida. However, the judge expressed doubt that a Florida court would honor such an agreement or a related order from a Michigan court. The ruling does not address the validity of Dispensa's claims.

Dispensa's lawsuit includes counts of assault and battery against Good, negligence and gross negligence against both Good and All Elite Wrestling, and negligent hiring, training, supervision, and retention against All Elite Wrestling. He has requested a jury trial. A settlement conference is scheduled for December 22, 2026.